TOP FOUR WAYS TO EMPOWER EMPLOYEES

“Em·pow·er | /?m'pou(?)r/ | to make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.” At Kingsgate, it’s so much more than that. We understand the only way you can be truly honest with a customer is to be an expert. At Kingsgate, we believe training and education are some of the most powerful tools we use, making us better problem solvers, innovators and decision makers.

We invest in our employees, so we may empower them to grow personally and professionally by making decisions that are right for themselves, our customers and our carriers. Here are four successful ways to develop empowered employees:

1. TEACH WHAT IS IMPORTANT

From day one, teach your team the things that make your business tick and why they are ingrained in how your company works. Explain your company’s history, mission, values, and guiding principles. Employees should understand and align themselves with these organizational cornerstones, so they may become empowered team members.

2. WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK

While it’s crucial to teach your team what’s important, it creates more lasting value to show them why it’s important. The most natural way people learn is by example and, as new hires get brought into the company, their co-workers and managers should help in furthering your mission.

3. GIVE THEM THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

In addition to the teaching and displaying of the company’s culture, ensure your business has systems and processes in place that allow employees to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Providing in-depth training is key. Find ways to streamline communication and handle issues properly. Look for ways to continually improve by accepting feedback and preparing for change.

4. TRUST YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM

Lastly, trust you’ve brought in the right people from the bottom to the top of your company. Be confident you’ve given them the lessons and the tools they need for success. Although it may be difficult, it is imperative to have full trust in your team –  whether it’s to succeed or to find their way through failure. To have truly autonomous and empowered employees you must encourage them when they succeed and remind them when they fail to fail forward.

Empowerment is having the tools to handle whatever life throws at you. As author and speaker, Steve Maraboli said, “Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”

Thanks for reading!

All the Best,

Jeff Beckham